Constitution Day - September 17, 2012

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On September 17, 1787, the U.S. Constitution was signed by thrity-nine brave men who changed the course of history. Now CONSTITUTION DAY is a time for us to continue their legacy and develop habits of citizenship in a new generation of Americans. (Borrowed from The Constitution Center)

"How a Constitution of Limited Powers Can Protect Democracy from Itself."

In the 20th century, the United States constructed a system of federally-administered entitlement benefits aimed at improving the economic security of the elderly, disabled, and unemployed. Critical court decisions paved the way for this legislation by expanding the basis for acceptable use of federal tax and spending powers. The aging of society and the pressure that comes from global economic competition will require updating and modernizing these programs for the realities of the 21st century, but the benefits conferred by the programs have proven to be so popular with voters as to be almost impossible to alter in any meaningful way through the legislative process. Is it the inevitable destiny of democratic societies to weaken themselves by voting for benefits today at the expense of tomorrow? What would the nation′s founders have to say about this state of affairs? And what does our Constitution have to say about it?

This event is sponsored by the Project for the Study of Liberal Democracy, Academic Affairs, Department of Political Science and the Program in Political Economy; and co-sponsored by the Jack Miller Center for Teaching America′s Founding Principles and History.

For more information please call 901-834-3818 or e-mail us at bakerj@rhodes.edu.